Written Answers Nos. 188-202
188. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport the numbers of routes, the areas serviced and the operators that have informed the National Transport Authority of a plan to withdraw scheduled non-public service obligation funded services including those currently receiving funding as a result of the Covid-19 crisis since 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27289/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally, and for the allocation of associated funding to the relevant transport operators.
In view of the above I forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
189. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the number of persons waiting to sit a car theory test by theory test centre; the number currently waiting to sit a practical driver test by driving test centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27294/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the legislation as provided by the Oireachtas, the driver testing service, including the theory test, is the responsibility of the Road Safety Authority. The information requested is held by the Authority, this question is being referred to it for direct reply.
I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
190. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the date on which car theory test centres will reopen given the impact this closure is having on persons that are trying to obtain a learner permits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27295/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Driver Theory Test is considered a non-essential service and remains closed for now. The Department understands the frustration at this decision, however, these restrictions imposed by the Government based on the advice of NPHET and their panel of scientific experts, are in place to minimize the impact of Covid-19 on this country and its people.
Officials both in this Department and in the Road Safety Authority are keeping the public health situation under constant review and are working extremely hard to ensure that Theory Tests can resume as soon as it is safe to do so.
191. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the date on which practical driver tests will resume for non-essential workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27296/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraDriving tests for essential workers continue to be the priority for the driver testing service.
However, in line with the gradual reopening of services, driving tests for all those who are eligible to take the test and have been waiting longest will recommence in a limited fashion from next week.
The situation will be kept under review.
192. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if his Department is fully compliant with GDPR EU requirements, the EU network and Information Security Directive and standards with respect to his Department’s IT infrastructure including Article 29 of GDPR which requires that data processors access only the data they need for their task; if ISO 27001 Annex 9 standards on privileged access are fully met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27348/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is compliant with GDPR requirements. In accordance with Article 29 of the EU GDPR, Department of Transport staff only have access to data, including personal data, that is relevant to their role or their specific functional area. Access is controlled on a need to access basis and this is determined by their grade and/or role.
It would not be appropriate to disclose information which might assist criminals to identify potential vulnerabilities in Departmental cybersecurity arrangements and for that reason I will not elaborate further on operational security matters. I can confirm though that our technical staff continue to operate and monitor all relevant systems to the highest levels, and are closely engaged with experts in the OGCIO and the NCSC to ensure that we follow best practice as it relates to all aspects of Cybersecurity.
193. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if any state or semi state bodies which report to his Department are fully compliant with GDPR EU requirements and the EU network and Information Security Directive and standards with respect to their IT infrastructure including article 29 of GDPR which requires that data processors access only the data they need for their task; if ISO 27001 annex 9 standards on privileged access are fully met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27367/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraCompliance with GDPR requirements and information security requirements are an operational matter for the agencies. I have forwarded your question to the agencies under the aegis of my Department for direct response to you. If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days please contact my private office.
194. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Transport his plans to allow full unrestricted air travel in order to safeguard jobs in Shannon Airport and the wider aviation industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27415/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraTo protect public health and to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 variants of concern entering the state, Government continues to advise against all non-essential international travel. There are also measures in place for arriving passengers which are intended to protect public health.
Several Government Departments are involved in preparatory discussions concerning the easing of the various restrictions relating to international travel as vaccination programmes here and elsewhere continue to progress. A roadmap to enable the return of international travel will be considered by Government in the coming weeks.
195. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he has engaged with the Minister for Finance in respect of the way in which companies can be encouraged to switch their vehicle fleets to hybrid and electric vehicles in the context of the climate action plan; and his plans to consider the way in which he can influence reform of the benefit in kind regime in the context of the uptake of greener vehicles ahead of the budget (details supplied). [27439/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs you may be aware, the transport sector accounts for approximately 20% of Ireland’s national greenhouse gas emissions, with car use responsible for over half of these emissions. In recognition of this, the Climate Action Plan contains commitments to significantly increase electrification within the national fleet, including an ambitious target of 936,000 electric vehicles (EVs) by 2030. Meeting this target will be extremely challenging; however, it represents the scale of transformation needed in the transport sector if emissions are to be reduced to the extent required.
The State has an important role to play in normalising EVs and promoting their uptake. A positive policy environment has been fostered with a generous suite of financial and taxation incentives in place for those buying an EV as well as an extensive publicly accessible recharging infrastructure network. Presently, there are approximately 32,000 EVs on Irish roads; a significant step-up is required if Ireland is to achieve its Climate Action Plan EV target.
To assist in this aim, the former Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport established the Electric Vehicle Policy Pathway Working Group to consider the optimum mix of regulatory, taxation and subsidy policies available to Government to significantly accelerate electric vehicle sales. This Group focused on mechanisms to achieve an immediate increase in EV uptake to attain over 180,000 EVs by 2025 in the line with the Climate Action Plan trajectory and, thereafter, to be well placed to reach full electrification by 2030. In its report, to be published shortly, the Group considered supplementary measures to further incentivise EVs other than the existing generous suite of EV supports.
I am supportive of all appropriate and proportionate supports for the EV industry, particularly where those supports provide momentum towards achieving the Government’s emission reduction commitment. The Deputy will be aware that the benefit in kind regime is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Finance.
196. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Transport the number of civil servant posts that were filled through open and internal panels, since April 2020, in his Department and the bodies under the aegis of his Department, by county and by month in tabular form. [27605/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe table below sets out the number of civil servant posts filled through open, internal and interdepartmental panels in the Department of Transport from April 2020 to date.
This includes 1 post which transferred to the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media as part of the transfer of the Tourism and Sport functions in 2020.
|
MONTH |
OPEN |
INTERNAL |
INTERDEPARTMENTAL |
|
April 2020 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
May 2020 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
June 2020 |
4 |
4 |
0 |
|
July 2020 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
August 2020 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
September 2020 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
October 2020 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
November 2020 |
6 |
0 |
1 |
|
December 2020 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
January 2021 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
|
February 2021 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
|
March 2021 |
5 |
0 |
2 |
|
April 2021 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
May 2021 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
|
TOTAL |
31 |
7 |
5 |
Of the total posts, one is in Co. Clare, one is in Co. Galway and the remainder are in Dublin.
As the Deputy's question also relates to posts filled by bodies under the aegis of my Department I have forwarded the question to each of the bodies for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
197. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Finance the loans approved by HBFI for residential developments in the past 12 months; the number of units in each development in tabular form; the location of each development; the number of designated build-to-rent units included in the grant of planning permission in each development; if HBFI or officials in his Department were aware that the loan application had an advanced purchase agreement with an institutional investor in place for all or part of the development at the time the loan was approved; if so, the number of units included in such agreements; and the number of these units that were designated as build to rent in the planning grant. [27147/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraHBFI was established in late 2018 to address a shortfall of finance available for the construction of residential housing. HBFI was designed to increase access to residential development finance generally and in particular to projects that had not been the current focus of traditional or alternative lenders at that time.
Since commencing operations at the end of January 2019, HBFI has approved over 50 loan facilities and has made available funding of over €500m which would allow the delivery of over 2,300 new homes across 17 counties. Over 90% of loan facilities approved to-date have been to fund new homes for either private sale or social housing.
HBFI regularly assesses the market to determine what type of residential construction projects are experiencing difficulty accessing finance and responds accordingly in line with its commercial remit.
Following the outbreak of Covid-19, HBFI consulted with the Minister for Finance to seek approval to widen its remit on a temporary basis to allow it to provide finance for larger prime residential projects that were experiencing difficulties in accessing financing. In May 2020, HBFI established a temporary step-in product called the “Momentum Fund”.
The purpose of this product was to fund large scale developments that would ordinarily have been funded elsewhere but due to COVID-19 and the constrained lending market funding was not available at the time. By providing funding to this market segment on a temporary basis, HBFI ensured that developments were not delayed, and the supply of new homes was not interrupted due to a temporary tightening of the lending market for new homes.
HBFI through its engagement with the market also identified a need for a funding product specifically for apartment developments in urban areas and accordingly introduced an ‘Apartment Product’ to the market also in May 2020.
To-date any funding approved by HBFI for PRS related projects has been provided under these two categories.
HBFI have provided the details sought by the Deputy as set out in the table below.
There were 30 facilities approved by HBFI between 15th May 2020 and 18th May 2021, with the potential to deliver 1,646 new homes:
|
No. of Units |
Location |
|
|
Facility 1 |
15 |
Cork |
|
Facility 2 |
16 |
Meath |
|
Facility 3 |
8 |
Offaly |
|
Facility 4 |
6 |
Mayo |
|
Facility 5 |
8 |
Mayo |
|
Facility 6 |
307 |
Dublin |
|
Facility 7 |
85 |
Louth |
|
Facility 8 |
92 |
Dublin |
|
Facility 9 |
287 |
Dublin |
|
Facility 10 |
94 |
Louth |
|
Facility 11 |
124 |
Kildare |
|
Facility 12 |
7 |
Offaly |
|
Facility 13 |
16 |
Wexford |
|
Facility 14 |
55 |
Louth |
|
Facility 15 |
22 |
Meath |
|
Facility 16 |
6 |
Wicklow |
|
Facility 17 |
18 |
Clare |
|
Facility 18 |
23 |
Meath |
|
Facility 19 |
6 |
Cork |
|
Facility 20 |
6 |
Cork |
|
Facility 21 |
211 |
Dublin |
|
Facility 22 |
5 |
Dublin |
|
Facility 23 |
12 |
Cork |
|
Facility 24 |
7 |
Galway |
|
Facility 25 |
18 |
Dublin |
|
Facility 26 |
58 |
Donegal |
|
Facility 27 |
72 |
Dublin |
|
Facility 28 |
11 |
Meath |
|
Facility 29 |
42 |
Cork |
|
Facility 30 |
9 |
Dublin |
In relation to the number of designated build-to-rent units included in the grant of planning permission in each development, HBFI have advised that they are currently compiling the information as requested by the Deputy. Unfortunately they were not in a position to finalise the information within the timeframe, therefore I will provide this information directly to the Deputy once it is received from HBFI.
HBFI would be aware of any advance purchase agreement that had been in place or planned at the time a loan is approved. I am advised by HBFI that there have been 916 units included in such arrangements.
198. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance if the Covid restrictions support scheme will be withdrawn from 17 May 2021 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27159/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra204. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Finance if the Covid restrictions support scheme will be withdrawn from travel agencies on 17 May 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27306/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra205. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Finance if a double week of the Covid restrictions support scheme will be paid to travel agencies on the week commencing the 17 May 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27307/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra206. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Finance the length of time the Covid restrictions support scheme payment will remain in place for the travel agencies sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27308/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra207. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Finance if the status of the travel agency sector (details supplied) will be acknowledged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27309/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra213. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Finance if the Covid restrictions support scheme will be available to travel agents once they reopen; if so, the length that it will be extended given the fact that the situation in relation to foreign travel remains unclear and further given that deposits received by travel agents when they do reopen will be passed on immediately leaving them unable to pay overheads and thus requiring ongoing Government supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27440/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 198, 204 to 207, inclusive, and 213 together.
The Covid Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS) is a targeted support for businesses significantly impacted by restrictions introduced by the Government under public health regulations to combat the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. The support is available to companies, self-employed individuals and partnerships who carry on a trade or trading activities, the profits from which are chargeable to tax under Case I of Schedule D, from a business premises located in a region subject to restrictions introduced in line with the Living with Covid-19 Plan.
Details of CRSS were published in Finance Act 2020 and detailed operational guidelines, which are based on the terms and conditions of the scheme as set out in the legislation, have been published on the Revenue website.
The CRSS applies to businesses carrying on trading activities from a business premises located in a region subject to restrictions, which requires the business to prohibit or considerably restrict customers from accessing their business premises and as a result, is operating at less than 25% of turnover in 2019.
The Dáil has approved the extension of both the EWSS and the CRSS until the end of June 2021.
With easing of restrictions in the coming weeks, the CRSS will remain available to any business still closed/restricted under public health guidelines. Any business which can reopen but chooses not to will not be eligible for the CRSS.
It will not be sufficient that the trade of a business has been impacted because of a reduction in customer demand as a consequence of Covid-19. The scheme only applies where, as a direct result of the specific terms of the Government restrictions, the business is required to either prohibit or significantly restrict access to its business premises.
Any business currently availing of CRSS and that can now reopen as restrictions are eased will be able to avail of double restart week payments for two weeks subject to the statutory maximum of €5,000 per week to support them in meeting the costs of reopening as they exit the scheme.
The CRSS is an additional measure for businesses in a region subject to significant Covid-19 restrictions. Businesses not falling within the scope of the CRSS may be entitled to support under other measures put in place by Government, including the COVID Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) and the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS). Businesses may also be eligible to warehouse VAT and PAYE (Employer) debts and also excess payments received by employers under the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme, and the balance of Income Tax for 2019 and Preliminary Tax for 2020 for self-assessed taxpayers if applicable.
The Government will continue to assess the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the economy and I will continue to work with my Ministerial colleagues to ensure that appropriate supports are in place to mitigate these effects.
199. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the number of homes classified as private housing that have been funded through Home Building Finance Ireland as at 31 December 2020. [27237/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraHBFI have provided the details sought by the Deputy as set out in the table below.
As of 31st December 2020, HBFI had approved funding which would support the delivery of 1,850 new homes across the state. The breakdown is as follows:
|
No. |
|
|
Private Market |
663 |
|
Part V |
115 |
|
PRS |
486 |
|
Social AHB/Local Authority |
586 |
200. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the median price for which homes funded through Home Building Finance Ireland have been sold or purchases by year including 2020, in tabular form. [27238/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraHBFI have provided the details sought by the Deputy as set out in the table below.
|
Year |
Average Price of Units Sold |
|
2019 |
€263,924 |
|
2020 |
€279,750 |
|
2021 |
€256,943 |
201. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the number of homes funded through Home Building Finance Ireland that have been sold or purchased by including 2020 at values beginning from €100,000 at intervals of €50,000 for example, the number of homes funded through HBPFI in 2018 with purchase price of between €400,000 and €450,00, in tabular form. [27239/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraHome Building Finance Ireland commenced operations in January 2019, therefore there is no data available for 2018. The remaining information sought by the Deputy is set out in the table below.
202. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if a schedule will be provided of IT and email security costs incurred over the past five years to date; and the contractor engaged to deliver the services and or system. [27277/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) provide ICT services for my Department. The OGCIO implement a security-by-design and defence-in-depth approach to cyber security.
The Government’s services are still actively involved in managing and remediating the recent cyberattack on the HSE. OGCIO technical staff continue to operate and monitor all relevant systems to the highest levels, and are closely engaged with experts in the OGCIO and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to ensure that best practice is followed as it relates to all aspects of Cybersecurity.
For operational and security reasons, the NCSC have advised OGCIO not to disclose details of systems and processes which could in any way compromise those efforts.
In particular, it is not considered appropriate to disclose information which might assist criminals to identify potential vulnerabilities in departmental cybersecurity arrangements. Therefore it is not considered appropriate to disclose particular arrangements in place in relation to cyber security tools and services.
